In this latest in our series on strategic design in complex times, we look at the ways in which design methods, tools, and thinking can shape systems and channel our intentions. This is strategic design. For more information, check out the earlier posts on complexity, strategy and introductions to strategic design. The aim is to […]
Strategic Design: Bridging Complexity, Planning, & Evaluation for Impact Read More »
Leadership in complexity comes down to three words that, if lived by, can transform organziations and navigate uncertainty with grace. These are: humilty, inquiry and agility. Strategy involves leadership. Knowing what to do when there is uncertainty is among the great challenges that complexity poses. There aren’t ‘best practices’ that enable tried and true results,
Leadership for Complexity: Humility, Inquiry, and Agility Read More »
Strategy isn’t just about planning—it’s about preparing to meet the future, to shape it, and not just react to what comes our way. In conditions of complexity, the organizations that invest in thinking clearly are the ones that perform better, adapt faster, and lead with confidence. Why engage in strategy making? Just as a sailor
Strategy for Leadership By Design: A Brief Introduction Read More »
In the previous post, we looked at what complexity is and left with a metaphor of sailing to describe the ways in which we can understand complexity. In this post, we look at how to navigate complexity and ask: what does that mean for what we do and how we do it? Complexity is a
Navigating Complexity: Using Strategic Design Read More »
There is an entire field of practice loosely referred to as “systems change” that guides how to effect substantive social, environmental, and political changes in our world. The methods and tools are varied, and the means of evaluating system change are numerous. Still, the general thrust of these approaches is designed to unlock social innovation,
From Systems Change to Transformation Read More »
Earth Day allows us to reflect upon the opportunities and challenges healthcare faces when dealing with its environmental responsibilities. Will it rise to meet them? This is Earth Day. It’s when we consider the health of the planet alongside our life on this planet. For healthcare, an environment of its own, the opportunity to bring
Healthcare’s Earth Day Challenge Read More »
When undertaking strategic planning for organizations operating in the complex space of health and human services, how do you account for creating meaningful ways to learn and adapt? Developmental Evaluation is how. Developmental Evaluation is a means to provide evaluative insight to guide the evolution of your program, but did you know it can be
Developmental Evaluation and Strategy Read More »
If you’re stuck in the daily grind of human services delivery, leveraging evaluation data can help you see and chart your progress. Among the most difficult things healthcare and human services professionals deal with is progress. Whether you’re an ER nurse, a front-line social worker, or a palliative care doctor, seeing progress is something that
Monitoring as Motivator: Harnessing the Progress Principle Read More »
It’s super easy to create digital content now, but that means we’re drowning in low-quality stuff. Everyone’s glued to their devices, scanning boring, formulaic articles. There’s way too much generic content out there, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. We need originality to think and engage meaningfully, or we’ll just keep swiping.
Are We Producing Ourselves Into Oblivion? Read More »
Perspective-taking is the intentional act of changing the frame in which you view things. We can design for it and, if we’re fortunate, we can these perspectives to design us. It’s midsummer in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is often a time when things slow down, which allows me to gain a different perspective on
Time and Space for Creation Read More »
